Infant milestones are easily documented and mapped out. However, as a child grows older these milestones change, become less defined and crucial points in time don’t always receive the recognition they deserve.
Good Shepherd Lutheran College understands the importance of recognising one such milestone, the important transition from childhood to adolescence to young adulthood. Breaking away from their childhood attachment and security allows children to acquire freedom and responsibility to develop independence and to differentiate themselves from their parents and childhood to establish their own unique identity.
Good Shepherd Lutheran College Principal Anthony Dyer said “The two-year Rite Journey, which commences in Year 9, acknowledges, and celebrates each student’s shift into adulthood. It offers conversations and experiences to guide this transition and foster connections between student, parent, Rite Journey teachers and the broader College community. It encourages students to strive to be thriving citizens, ready for their journey through life.”
More than 100 Year 9 students and their families attended the “Calling and Departure” ceremony.
The ‘Calling’ encourages students to show gratitude for their childhood and calls them on their journey to young adulthood while the ‘Departure’, involves parents, carers and teachers joining the students for an opportunity to learn, reflect and look forward.
Families and teachers gathered at 6.30am at the beautiful Noosa River Mouth. The start of a new day symbolises a turning point and the location, where the river and ocean meet, perfectly depicts the analogy of our young people growing and developing into young adults.
“Much like a creek develops into a river and meanders into the ocean, our students started life small, as young children and, over the years with the many and varied influences in their lives, they have grown, a bit like an ocean, into more independent young adults,” program coordinator Sandy Page said.
Students shared prepared letters of gratitude and attributes of childhood theywish to leave behind as they transition into young adults. Ms Page revealed that, “This is a very special moment for our Year 9 students and their parents. More than a few tears were shed at the sentiments of gratitude acknowledged in the letter from their child. It is especially touching to witness as families recognise the significance of the moment.” Parents, in return, shared memories and keep-sakes from their young person’s childhood before students were asked to ‘step into adulthood’ and join their Rite Journey teachers at the water’s edge for the final phase of the ceremony.
“We encourage the students to embrace The Rite Journey, we urge them to be thankful for their childhood but to prepare to step into a new and challenging stage of their lives,” Mr Dyer said. However, we also understand the importance of helping these students progress to the next stage of young adulthood. It is wonderful to be a part of this moment, to watch the students, many who have been at Good Shepherd since Prep, transition, grow and develop into responsible, caring young adults. As a College we are honoured to facilitate and share our students’ journey.”
